SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING RESPIRATION IN A BIOSENSING GARMENT

• US 20180317814A1
• Filed: 02/28/2018
• Published: 11/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Safety Products USA, Inc. (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Omsignal Incorporated
• Inventors: NURKKA, Maria Elina
• Granted Patent: US 10,753,021 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0806 by whole-body plethysmography measuring blood flow using plethysmography A61B5/0295; impedance plethysmography A61B5/053; measuring volume of the body or parts thereof A61B5/1073
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6805 Vests
• CPC Class Codes: D04B 21/18 incorporating elastic threads
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/16 for measuring the deformation in a solid, e.g. by resistance strain gauge

Abstract

Embodiments described herein relate generally to biosensing garments, and in particular, to systems and methods for monitoring respiration in a biosensing garment, whereby an improved integration of the respiration monitoring circuit into the garment is achieved, resulting in improved signal quality and durability. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and configured to be stretchable along its longitudinal axis. The elongate member includes a plurality of elastic members (e.g., a first elastic member, a second elastic member, and a third elastic member) that extend along the longitudinal axis. A conductive member is coupled to the first, second and third members, and forms a “curved” pattern along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. The conductive member is configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration as the elongate member stretches along its longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to be stretchable along the longitudinal axis, the elongate member including a first elastic member, a second elastic member extending substantially parallel to the first elastic member, and a third elastic member extending substantially parallel to the second elastic member; and

a conductive member coupled to the first, second and third elastic members in a curved pattern along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member, the curved pattern of the conductive member configured to change from a first configuration to a second configuration as the elongate member stretches along the longitudinal axis, the change from the first configuration to the second configuration resulting in a change of inductance of the conductive member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second elastic member is spaced a non-zero distance from the first elastic member.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the third elastic member is spaced a non-zero distance from the second elastic member.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third elastic members is formed of an elastic material and a non-elastic material.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first, second and third elastic members is knitted from a single yarn.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the single yarn includes an elastic filament and a texturized, non-elastic multifilament.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the elastic filament and the texturized, non-elastic multifilament are twisted together to form the single yarn.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the texturized, non-elastic multifilament is a first texturized, non-elastic multifilament, the single yarn further including a second texturized, non-elastic multifilament twisted together with the first texturized, non-elastic multifilament and the elastic filament to form the single yarn.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the elastic filament is elastane.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the texturized, non-elastic multifilament is nylon.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the curved pattern of the conductive member is substantially sinusoidal.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductive member is integrally formed with the elongate member in the curved pattern.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the conductive member is knitted with the first, second, and third elastic members in the curved pattern.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the conductive member is weft knitted.

15. An apparatus comprising:

an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to be stretchable along the longitudinal axis, the elongate member including a plurality of substantially parallel elastic members; and

a conductive member comprising an electrical conductor, the conductive member fixedly coupled to at least one of the plurality of substantially parallel elastic members,

the conductive member disposed in a regular pattern along the longitudinal axis of the elongate member and configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration,

the conductive member having a first inductance value in the first configuration, and a second inductance value in the second configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the regular pattern of the conductive member is a curved pattern.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the curved pattern of the conductive member is substantially sinusoidal.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

a first connector coupled to a first end of the elongate member and a second connector coupled to a second end of the elongate member, the first connector disposed proximate the second connector thereby forming an open loop.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the open loop is disposed in at least one of a substantially circular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, and an irregularly shape.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the elongate member includes a first portion extending from a first connector in a first direction, and a second portion extending in a second direction from the first portion to a second connector.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second connector is proximate the first connector.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second portion is folded back onto the first portion.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a plurality of substantially parallel elastic members disposed along an axis and configured to be stretchable along the axis; and

a conductive member disposed in a regular pattern and fixedly coupled to at least one of the plurality of substantially parallel elastic members, the conductive member configured to move between a first configuration and a second configuration,

the conductive member having a first inductance value in the first configuration, and a second inductance value in the second configuration.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the regular pattern is substantially sinusoidal.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the plurality of substantially parallel elastic members includes a first elastic member, a second elastic member spaced a non-zero distance from the first elastic member, and a third elastic member spaced a non-zero distance from the second elastic member.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising:

a first connector coupled to a first end of the conductive member and a second connector coupled to a second end of the conductive member, the first connector disposed proximate the second connector thereby forming an open loop.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the open loop is disposed in at least one of a substantially circular shape, a substantially oval shape, a substantially square shape, a substantially rectangular shape, and an irregularly shape.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the conductive member includes a first portion extending from a first connector in a first direction, and a second portion extending in a second direction from the first portion to a second connector.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second connector is proximate the first connector.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second portion is folded back onto the first portion.